Draw 3D Face Model

Use the following procedure to generate a 3D face model of your bridge/structure onto AutoCAD.

Note: You should have to define the geometry of your bridge/structure in advance, using cross-sections from the library or your own cross-sections. The geometry must be defined using at least two key cross-sections. This function will generate a 3D surface model and you can also generate the road surfaces along with your bridge/structure.

Find the function here:

Ribbon: Bridge > 3D Draw 3D Face Model

The dialog box 'Bridge/Structure - 3D' will pop up. The dialog box loads the details of the From/To Key Section stations, Preview, etc., of your bridge project.

Novapoint Bridge Professional will suggest From/To Stations, Interval between the stations for which plan values are to be calculated, etc. You can change these values, but From/To Station values must be located between the start and end key cross-sections.

You can traverse along the alignment by entering the station number at the field Cr. Sec. No. or using the keys '<' and '>'. If you are using the keys '<' and '>', you will jump to the cross-section at an interval defined at the field 'Interval'.

The key '«' and '»' will take you to the Key Sections. All other keys on the right side of the dialog are pan and zoom tools.

If you observe the preview, the section points for Key Sections will be in red color and the section point for calculated/interpolated (section within key sections) will be in cyan color.

From/To Stations

Define the start and end station numbers, for which the 3D face model is to be generated.

Interval

Define the interval for interpolated cross-sections, which are to be drawn. If the interval equals the length of your bridge/structure, only key sections (start and end cross-sections) will be drawn. If you have a curved bridge/structure, you should select a smaller value for interval compared to a straight bridge/structure, so that the drawing is accurate and aesthetic.

Area

If the parameters of the field Area are not defined, the value defined for Interval will be applied to the whole bridge/structure.

You can use these parameters when the interval value is not the same for the whole bridge/structure section (between the from and to station numbers). Follow the simple steps briefed below:

• • From/To - Define the from/to station, for which there is a change in interval.

  • Interval - Define the second interval value of your bridge/structure here.

  • Save - Press the Save button. You have now created a sub-area. Specify additional sub-areas, if necessary. Use the buttons '<' and '>' to switch between different sub-areas. You can delete a sub-area using the button Delete.

Passive sub-area

You can specify an area where the structure is not to be drawn (passive). The entire structure or parts of the cross-section can be set passive. Follow the simple steps briefed below:

• • Define the passive From/To Station numbers at the field Area.

  • Mark the check box, either All or Entity at the field Passive.

  • If the bridge/structure in between the stations defined in step 1 is not to be drawn opt All. If few entities of the cross-sections are to be skipped, opt Entity.

  • You can select the section points, which are to be skipped with the key Select.

  • Press Save. You have now created a passive area.

  • Specify additional passive areas if required.

  • Use the buttons '<' and '>' to switch between different passive areas.

  • You can delete a sub-area using the button Delete.

Road

Road surfaces can also be drawn. If you wish to generate a 3D model of road surfaces also, mark the check box Road.

Undo

When drawing a 3D surface model, it might be a good idea to switch off the Undo function to avoid large temporary files.

Curve resolution

The curve resolution factor tells the program how many surfaces the curved surfaces of the cross-section are to be divided into. This value is used only for cross-sections with curved surfaces. To draw a curved surface this function must divide the arc into several straight lines. 3D surfaces are placed along these lines. The parameter is the number of straight segments in a circle. If you for example choose 40 surfaces for a circle and the cross-section includes a curved surface that is 1/4 of a circle, the curved surface will be drawn with 10 3D surfaces.

Draw the 3D model

Choose OK and the 3D model will be drawn. You can abort the function by pressing ESC.

You can use the function 'Show Perspective' or the standard AutoCAD commands DVIEW and VPOINT to make perspectives and view the bridge/structure from different angles.

Layers

You may find it useful to place different parts of the 3D surface model on different layers. This is done by placing polylines on different layers before you choose Save to database. The layer structure will be remembered by the 3D function and the surfaces will be placed on the layers where they were defined.

Terrain

If you have imported the terrain in the database (Digital Terrain Model), you can generate a 3D grid model using '3D of Grid Model' of the module 'Novapoint Terrain'. See Novapoint Terrain for more details. You can load your structure model into your terrain drawing or any 3D terrain drawing in AutoCAD. You can then load it into the terrain drawing as a Block or using XREF.

Simple 3D Perspectives can be prepared using the SHADE or HIDE commands. Realistic screens using light sources, shadowed surfaces, and reflected light can be created using AutoShade, RenderMan, or 3D-Studio. Using these software packages, you can convey photographic realism with surface finish, light, and shadows.